ALL PROGRAMS | College of Education & Human Development Programs
teacher in classroom

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Minimum of 36 semester hours (Adapted Curriculum and Deaf Education concentrations are a minimum of 39 hours)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: Does Not Admit
  • Spring: Does Not Admit
  • Summer: March 1

Special Education, M.A.T.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-8040

The master of arts in teaching program in special education prepares highly qualified teachers to educate children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in schools. Students in the program learn to become leaders in the special education field, and work closely with faculty who have extensive experience working with children and youth with disabilities.  The program, which offers a combination of practical courses and classroom experiences, is committed to helping teachers ensure all students grow to their fullest potential.

The M.A.T. program is designed for working professionals, with classes offered in the late afternoon and evening. As a teacher candidate, you will have the opportunity to become a highly qualified teacher alongside other students in a cohort model.

Teacher candidates who successfully complete the program and receive a passing score on the appropriate GACE test(s) will obtain a master’s degree and be certified to teach in one of three special education areas: Adapted curriculum, deaf education and general curriculum.

Our M.A.T. degree has five different concentration areas:

Adapted Curriculum Concentration

Students on an adapted curriculum often have a diagnosed intellectual disability, and learn academic skills and functional life skills tailored to their individual needs. In Georgia schools, students on an adapted curriculum receive most of their academic instruction in small-group settings. This concentration focuses on effective instruction for students on an adapted curriculum from preschool to 12th grade.

General Curriculum Concentration

Students with disabilities in the general curriculum follow the same curriculum as their peers without disabilities, but with specialized support and accommodations to meet their needs. In Georgia schools, students on a general curriculum receive most of their academic instruction in general education classroom settings. This concentration focuses on effective instruction for students served in the general curriculum from preschool to 12th grade.

Deaf Education Concentration

This concentration prepares teachers to educate students who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to work in schools that use a visual language, including residential schools, day schools and public school programs. Students learn about services across a wide variety of placement options and participate in in-depth coursework and experiences that will develop their skills for teaching in multilingual settings. Graduates will be certified to teach deaf children up through 12th grade.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

When applying to the Special Education, M.A.T. program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application). Brief statement that explains the professional and academic goals that you hope to accomplish by completing this program of study. If you have previously enrolled in a teacher certification program, provide an explanation of your experience in that program in your goal statement.
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application)
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA required for admission
    • submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302

In order to meet certification requirements in Georgia, you will also need to complete the following prior to program admission:

 

Through the M.A.T. Special Education program, students take a variety of courses related to methods, classroom management, dyslexia, literacy, assessment and applied behavior analysis.

Students also have the opportunity to complete a practicum in their area of interest.

In addition to the training students receive for their concentration, they may also qualify for the autism endorsement, dyslexia and other reading disabilities endorsement or reading endorsement through successfully completing specific coursework.

Certification areas: Special Education Adapted Curriculum, Special Education Deaf Education, Special Education General Curriculum

Professional Education Core classes = 9 hours
Teaching Field/Major = 27-30 hours
Program total: Minimum of 36 semester hours
(Adapted Curriculum, Deaf Education and Early Childhood Special Education concentrations are a minimum of 39 semester hours)

For specific requirements and classes, review the catalog.

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

Teacher Preparation Program Effectiveness

Initial teacher preparation program candidates must pass a state-mandated teacher performance assessment, the edTPA, at the end of their programs to become certified in Georgia. The teacher performance assessment measures a candidate’s ability to help all students learn. Teacher candidates are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills in planning, teaching, assessing and analyzing student learning.

The special education candidates have 100% pass rate on the edTPA assessment.

Description

Careers

Graduates across concentrations will be prepared to work with children and youth with special needs. Graduates are provided coursework and practicum experiences resulting in knowledge of characteristics, curriculum, instructional strategies and classroom management procedures.

Select concentration in:

  • Adapted Curriculum
  • Behavior/Learning Disabilities
  • Deaf Education
  • Early Childhood Adapted Curriculum
  • Early Childhood General Curriculum

Students will learn to work with students in a variety of settings such as:

  • separate specialized schools
  • typical school settings
  • alternative school settings (for example, residential and juvenile justice)
  • cognitive and behavioral specialty agencies

Contacts

Program Coordinators

Spec Ed Adapted and General Curriculum
Lauren Boden, Ph.D.
[email protected]

Deaf Education
Jessica Scott, Ph.D.
[email protected]
404-413-8040

Spec Ed Early Childhood Adapted and General Curriculum
Sarah Hansen, Ph.D.
[email protected]
404-413-8331

Learning Sciences
[email protected]
404-413-8040

Mailing Address & Office Location
Learning Sciences
College of Education & Human Development
Suite 750
30 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.